Clothes-line stretcher



(No Model.)

S. DOBBS. CLOTHES LINE STRETGHERV Patented Aug.l6, 18891..

NoI 408.339.

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UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

SENECA DOBBS, OF ROCHESTER, NEV YORK.

CLOTH ES-LINE STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,339, dated August6, 1889.

Application ledduly 23, 1888. Serial No. 280,776. (No model.)

To all whom it may' concern:

Be it known that I, SENECA DOBBS, of Rochester, in the county of Monroeand State of New York, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Clothes-Line Stretchers; and' I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same,reference being had to the drawings accompanying this application.

The object of my invention is to arrange two or more parallelclothes-lines together and stretch them at once and by the samefixtures, which are simply hung over hooks at the opposite ends. Thelines are tightened at one operation by simply turning` a cranked shafthaving reels attached at its opposite ends.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the device. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the same. Fig. 3 is .an enlarged elevation of the ratchetand its attachments.

A A indicate the two clothes-1ines, which extend longitudinally parallelto each other at suitable distance apart and are attached at theiropposite ends to the fixtures hereinafter described;

B is a shaft at one end of the lines, provided at opposite ends withfixed spools or reels a a, on which the lines wind when the shaft isturned. This shaft is provided at its ends with hangers h b, turningfreely thereon and provided with rings c c or other similar devices bywhich they can be hung on hooks d d, attached to a post or othersupport. The shaft B has a crank @,on which is a loose handle f. Asimilar loose handle f is located on the straight part of the shaft atthe left of the crank.

g is a ratchet fast to one end of the shaft B, and 7L is a pawl ordetent pivoted to the hanger b and engaging with the ratchet.

C O are two rings at the opposite end of the attachment, to which theother ends of the clothes-lines are attached. These rings engage withtwo open hooks 7.: k, attached to a post or other suitable support atthat end of the line.

To attach the lines in place, the rings C C are hungon the hooks k 7c,and the lines are then drawn out by taking hold of the handle f of shaftB and carrying the shaft B to the opposite point of attachment. As theshaft B is carried back it turns to allow the cords to unwind from thespools. The hangers b b are then hung on the hooks d d, and the linesare then tightened by taking hold of the handles f f and turning thecrank e till the proper tension is attained. The pawl 7L, engaging withthe ratchet g, will hold the lines strained. To wind up the lines again,the hangers b l) are detached from their hooks and the crank turned, theoperator following up as fast as the lines are wound. When wound up, thedevice occupies very compact space. Two or more lines may be used, asdesired.

The object of this invention is to enable two or more parallel lines tobe used and c0n nected with one set of iiXtures, thereby gaining greatlength of line, with compactness of space occupied vwhen extended, andfacilitating the operations of connecting them with and disconnectingthem from theirhangings. The advantage is apparent, as the lines can beplaced comparatively near together and not interfere, while the clothesare kept so separated as to obtain all the benefits of the freecirculation of air. In winter, when hung outof-doors, there is lesstrouble in making pathways through the snow, as two lines can be readilyreached from one side.

The device is very convenient in straightening the lines and holdingthem taut andin winding' the lines up compactly when not in use.

Having described my invention ,what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

The combinatioinwith a set of clothes-lines A A, of the rings O O at oneend and the cranked shaft B, the spools a a, the ratchet g, pawl 7L, andhangers b Z), forming the wind ing-fixture, at the other end, the wholearranged to operate in the manner and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I haave hereunto signed my naine in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

, SENECA DOBBS.

Witnesses:

R. F. OseooD, P. A. Cos'rrcH.

